Ideas, attitudes and values

Ideas, attitudes and values in Macbeth

In a small group, explore some of the ideas, attitudes and values which underpin the play. You could consider ideas, attitudes and values relating to such things as:

Ambition

Power

The natural order

Fate

Gender

Ask yourself what the major characters such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff,  Malcolm and Banquo value. What ideas do they have? What are their attitudes to power etc?

Then ask yourself what the text values in relation to these things. You should be able to answer this by exploring what the characters are rewarded or punished for.

For example, Macduff values honour. Macbeth values power. The text privileges honour exemplified through the rightful use of power within the naturalized hierarchy of the play. How do we know this? Because Macbeth is rewarded when he acts honourably in support of the rightful king at the start of the play. He is punished in many ways when he seeks power over honour and the naturalized order.

You might set up a table such as this:

	Characters’ ideas, attitudes and values	The ideas, attitudes and values underpinning the text. Justify with a discussion of rewards and punishments
Ideas
Attitudes
Values

What symbols and motifs have you identified as important in the play?